The diver finds iPhone 12 left at the bottom of river for three months, the smartphone still works

A diver discovered an iPhone 12 at the bottom of a river in Northern California, completely covered in algae, where it had been submerged for three months. After being powered on, the smartphone functioned correctly.

Apple states that iPhone 12 and newer models have an IP69 protection rating according to the IEC 60529 standard, allowing the device to withstand immersion up to 6 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. While smartphones are not intended for intentional water immersion, they often prove to be sufficiently resilient in certain situations.

After retrieving the iPhone 12 from the riverbed, the diver cleaned it and let it dry for several days. He then connected a charger to the smartphone and turned it on.

Since the gadget was not protected by a password, the man was able to unlock the smartphone and view its contents. The last video was recorded three months prior to the discovery of the iPhone 12. The diver plans to find the owner of the smartphone by contacting the listed contacts on the device.

Seals prevent water and dust from entering the iPhone 12 and later models, ensuring the integrity of internal components. Issues may arise after damage to the seal material, typically occurring due to falls, repeated water submersion, or exposure to vapor.

Apple does not cover water-related damage, even if the device can withstand three months in a river.

Earlier, a US citizen lost his Apple Watch Ultra smartwatch while swimming in a lake, then found it three months later and it was found that the device was working.

Another case happened in the city of Madison, Wisconsin, USA, when divers found an iPhone while cleaning the lake from garbage. The device, which had been at the bottom of the lake for almost a year, had turned on and started working.